Amp Up Office Attitudes; Feel Like A Mover And Shaker

Bring it on. That's how energized execs approach the workday. Tips to ditch doldrums and quicken your professional pace:

 Clean the slate. "Stale tasks left undone from the previous year can have a negative drag on one's motivation, akin to a hangover," said Vicky Oliver , author of "The Millionaire's Handbook."

Her advice: Comb through that old to-do list. Hustle through what is doable. Lop off less-than-essential items. "Sometimes by cutting back on your goals, you actually end up accomplishing more of them," she told IBD.

 Mull no more. Still ruminating over professional or personal disappointments? Stop. "A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people who chew on their regrets, old problems or resentments become low performers," Oliver said.

 Spiff up. Investing in your wardrobe isn't just for appearances. "It makes you feel more confident," said Alan Au, vice president of Beverly Hills, Calif.-based clothier Jimmy Au's for Men 5'8" and Under.

Women are likelier to keep up with fashion, but men shouldn't ignore exterior maintenance. Their styles change too — from looser to fitted suits, and checks instead of stripes for shirts and ties. That old jacket? "Go for a colorful pocket square to freshen it up," Au said.

"Our entire QA (quality assurance) team goes out for a midmorning walk," said Matthew Gonnering, CEO of the digital assets management firm.

Employees who want to participate in the local 10K run or coach some Little League sluggers? "We'll give them money to sponsor their teams," he said. "We get them out in the community and active."

 Chase some carrots. Last year, Gonnering's human resource team launched a wellness program with a finish line — cash rewards for top point earners. "Employees logged their activities," he said, like yoga classes and 10-mile jogs. "It was fun to see how much they cared about participating."

Bring it on. That's how energized execs approach the workday. Tips to ditch doldrums and quicken your professional pace:

 Clean the slate. "Stale tasks left undone from the previous year can have a negative drag on one's motivation, akin to a hangover," said Vicky Oliver , author of "The Millionaire's Handbook."

Her advice: Comb through that old to-do list. Hustle through what is doable. Lop off less-than-essential items. "Sometimes by cutting back on your goals, you actually end up accomplishing more of them," she told IBD.

 Mull no more. Still ruminating over professional or personal disappointments? Stop. "A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people who chew on their regrets, old problems or resentments become low performers," Oliver said.

 Spiff up. Investing in your wardrobe isn't just for appearances. "It makes you feel more confident," said Alan Au, vice president of Beverly Hills, Calif.-based clothier Jimmy Au's for Men 5'8" and Under.

Women are likelier to keep up with fashion, but men shouldn't ignore exterior maintenance. Their styles change too — from looser to fitted suits, and checks instead of stripes for shirts and ties. That old jacket? "Go for a colorful pocket square to freshen it up," Au said.

"Our entire QA (quality assurance) team goes out for a midmorning walk," said Matthew Gonnering, CEO of the digital assets management firm.

Employees who want to participate in the local 10K run or coach some Little League sluggers? "We'll give them money to sponsor their teams," he said. "We get them out in the community and active."

 Chase some carrots. Last year, Gonnering's human resource team launched a wellness program with a finish line — cash rewards for top point earners. "Employees logged their activities," he said, like yoga classes and 10-mile jogs. "It was fun to see how much they cared about participating."

 Achieve equilibrium. "There's more to life than just work," said Gonnering, who has three kids younger than age 10.

The tone at Widen Enterprises, a 65-year-old firm, is balance.

Staffers who can make it to important family events and squeeze in physical activity bring a can-do outlook to work. "We need the energy. We need the passion. We need the drive," he said.

 Raise the volume. Proximity gets people talking. That's why Gonnering opted for an open workspace with employees grouped in four-person pods.

"It's more collaborative," he said.

 Check in. Feedback via employee surveys guides Gonnering's initiatives. His 2012 stat of 80% of workers satisfied or very satisfied is up from 55% in 2010. "We have a target of 90%, which is why we're constantly changing," he said.

 Respond. There's power in following through on the smallest survey comment — such as the kitchen needing new sponges. "Employees see that we care about them," Gonnering said.

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